Turkish Neurosurgery
Clinical Outcomes of Patients over 75 years of age with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis following Bilateral Decompression via a Unilateral Approach
Mustafa Ilik1, Mustafa Golen2, Faik Ilik3, Ilker Çöven4, Yıldıray Dal5
1Farabi Hospital, Neurosurgery, Konya,
2Medova Hospital, Neurosurgery, Konya,
3Baskent University, Neurology, Konya,
4Meram Training and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery, Konya,
5Konya Hospital, Anaesthesiology, Konya,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.18990-16.0

Aim:The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of bilateral decompression via a unilateral approach (BDUA) on degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis in patients over 75 years of age. Material and Methods:Elderly patients (n = 41; average age 79.3 ± 2.5 years) who received BDUA under spinal anaesthesia between April 2011 and May 2014 were enrolled. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) values were evaluated preoperatively and at the last visit postoperatively (median follow-up period, 22 month; mean follow-up period, 27 month). All parameters were analysed using Student paired-sample t test with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.Results:All 41 patients experienced significant postoperative improvement in VAS leg (p < 0.01) and back pain (p < 0.05) scores. Average ODIs were 52 ± 4.1% preoperatively and 39 ± 3.5% postoperatively. All changes were statistically significant.Conclusion:BDUA is a safe and very effective treatment in elderly patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis. This procedure has a very low complication rate and can be performed successfully under spinal anaesthesia.

Corresponding author : Mustafa Ilik